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Read Reviews for: Erick Hovey 'Blues Farm' Of course for every JJ Cale there's a coterie of guitarists of a similar persuasion who prefer to eschew volume and speed and blend together the more intricate parts of the blues tapestry. Mid-Western blues guitarist Erick Hovey is undoubtedly one of a kind, a player who celebrates the virtues of space, time and presence. His latest 'Blues Farm' cd bears a title that is almost the perfect metaphor for a hot house of the blues, developing the subtler seeds of the genre in between the cracks. More than that, Erick is someone who is at ease with himself. He seems to be aware of his limited vocal range, but he doesn't worry about that as he lets his guitar do all the talking for him holding an exquisite bluesy tinged conversation over some smouldering fluid grooves and well crafted songs. Erick is a master of rich tones and textures, sweet melodies, expressive phrasing, real feel and always the blues. And as he explores the blues in a sultry meandering way he's unafraid to take on board disparate influences from the almost Skanking feel of 'Baby Come Home' to the Latino/Bossa beat of 'Running With A Full Moon' as well as lovely diversions though shuffles and muscular funk ('Going Down') to the belated twin guitar intro on the cd's' outro. 'Can't Fall Down' is a succinct concluding guitar blow out that suggests he can jam with the best of them. 'Blues Farm' is an understated work of elegance and poise and fluency. Where others overstate their abilities or resort to cliché Hovey treads his own path. He may growl on 'Know Who You Are', he may add a contrasting piercing guitar line to the laid back shuffling stroll of 'Patchouli' and he may slip in a contrasting tone on the gentle shuffle rhythm of 'Missing Part', but there's a signature sound at play here. Erick Hovey's playing embodies a discernable voice and a real unique feel for the blues that will surely gain him plenty more fans. **** (4/5) © www.getreadytorock.com
Erick Hovey is an eclectic honest musician gifted with a clever
inspiration, he clearly shows in his latest two cds, Blues Farm
and Recycled Souls. Undoubtedly he is a very talented song writer
with a seductive and sensuous qualities, who feels comfortable in
all grounds of roots traditional music like blues, swing, country,
pop or Americana, something not very usual on a singer, guitar player
and song writer coming from Fort Dodge, Iowa who also belongs to
the fifth generation of country farmers. Anyway, Eric shows himself
as a poetic sensible composer with a clever sense of life reality.
In fact "Recycled Souls" and "Blues Farm" are
very different albums but they have a close thread about vitalist
concepts and even I dare would say with a phantasmagoric touch,
but at the same time with an introspective musical special charm
full of groove, feeling, deep peace and a dazzling absorbing brightness
able to give a sight back to a blind man. Twenty-six songs with
not a single bad note on them you should calmly listen to in a peaceful
atmosphere, with an open mind and a relaxed attitude to discover
and savour new good feelings. VERY GOOD.
I give both these CD's (Blues Farm and Recycled Souls), my highest
rating, Five***** For the life of me I don't know why I have not heard of Erick Hovey,
but I am extremely happy to now have met his acquaintance with not
one but two new dynamic releases, "Recycled Souls" and
"Blues Farm".
"Erick, I listened to Blues Farm and let me tell you that
I really enjoyed it, your music sounds very very good! I'm going
to include the albums in our playlists. We have a Blues festival
in Bogota that takes place every year. I think that may be you can
get a chance to perform here in Colombia. " "I received the cds. Had time to listen / prep "Blues
Farm". Very impressed! Professional package." "Rootsy, modern blues sound. Good guitar work, well crafted
songs. " Erick Hovey did the seemingly impossible by being tight yet loose;
his singing and playing style is laid back in the best JJ Cale tradition,
yet his band is as tight as the proverbial ducks rear-end. "ERICK HOVEY, singer-songwriter from Iowa, has a good band
and a nice line in lead guitar. Recycled Souls is a powerful album
of original songs for those who like good old-fashioned rock without
the posing. 'Ain't Done With You' should be a world-wide smash.
" "Hi Erick, I have received two CDs. I liked them very much
and I'm going to play them on Radio eM. I am also going to review
them for my magazine. " "Erick, Thanks for the albums, very nice and a breath of fresh
air. Gary Blue / STAR BLUES / UK " "Hi Erick, I will be playing your music on my radio-show.
I like both of your different cd`s very much. I will send you the
playlist with the titles I have played. Today I don`t know which
pieces I'll play, because all are excellent. Till then greetings
from Hamburg. " "Midwestern alt-bluesman Erick Hovey's music is raw, honest
and very fluid. This is some of the most unique blues that I have
heard in some time and I'm very pleased to have Erick as my guest
... heck ... I'm down right ... Excited! " "There can be no doubting Hovey's musicianship, make no mistake."
"Hey Erick. DJ Yorkie here also a musician. Got the Cds "Blues
Farm " and Recycled Souls" Both are fantastic works. I
am planning to do a big feature about you on my show. Maybe we could
do an Interview via skype? You have a lot of fans and I'd love to
get your music out there. " "Hi Erick, I have been playing your music on "The Blues
Cafe". I will be charting soon. I certainly enjoy your music.
Thanks for Keeping the Blues alive!!! " "Erick, tonight on my Blues Highway Show, I spun tracks from
both your cd's. Very nics stuff. I chart monthly to Living Blues
and don't see any reason one or both shouldn't make it in the top
25 for next month. Thanks for sharing your wonderful music with
us here at WBOR. " "Blues guitarist, very personal, who mixes rock and roots,
with strong influences by JJ Cale, Eric Clapton and Larry Carlton:
that is soul, style and technique. It is not the first album, has
already some behind him, his music is original, direct and pleasant.
" "Hi Erick; Your CD's arrived today. They are absolutely brilliant!
I am preparing them for air as we speak. I know several station
that would kill to have your work. I am so pleased to be working
with you. You are such an outstanding talent. " "Great stuff, Erick! Both discs in rotation and getting attention
already! Thanks so much. " "Greetings, Erick, and the best of the new year to you! Music
from "Blues Farm" is about to hit the airwaves of my syndicated
blues radio show, At the Crossroads. I am truly enjoying the album,
by the way, and more music from it will appear in the program. Thanks,
Erick! " "Thanks for your cds Blues Farm and Recycled Souls. I totally
dig those albums. If y'all ever wanna schedule a cocert for either
the Amarillo, TX or Garden City, KS studios, I'd love to make that
happen." "I write for Blues In Britain magazine and the review appeared
in November 09 issue. I enjoyed both CDs but particularly Blues
Farm - it's good to hear a guitarist who doesn't play at a million
notes a minute! I'm a big fan of Peter Green and the less is more
school of play. Cheers, Jim " "Hello Erick Hovey, I am the webmaster of www.bluesforum.nl
& www.bluesforum.com and I am sending you this note because
your cd's Recycled Souls and Blues Farm are both running for the
Bluesforum.nl CD Award. " "Thank you so much Erick! It's a pleasure to broadcast your
music. Good, soulful blues, true and moved. (and beautiful graphics!)
Thank you for your work and passion Erick! " "I like your music a lot. I would call it roots music with
a deep bluesy feel, very interesting. From fat grooves and rhythmic
patterns, through strong vocals and meaningful lyrics, all the way
to a tight backing band - makes listening to your albums a pleasure.
very cool. " "Erick, I gotta tell ya, I listened to 'Souls' this morning
& thought it was great. Liked every track. Hits our new rock
shelf tomorrow, & I'll get to your blues cd next week. thanks
again for sending it along. " "I love this. (Soda Pop Girl) Gonna get it up on the station
this week." "Hey man - you are good. Listening to "Soda Pop Girl"
and "Know Who You Are". I like it. Your music is at least
as good as the best independent stuff we have received. I wish you
well, hope you get lot's of airplay and I'll play your songs on
my morning show as well in our regular mix. " "Hi Erick. This week I received the cd's, "RECYCLED SOULS"
and "BLUES FARMS". Thank you very much. I heard the music
and I have to say I liked it. I think the cd's are excellent, very
quality. I will play them soon on my radio show. " "I did receive your 2 cds : Blues farm et Recycled Souls.
I really enjoy them and have already spread " Soda pop Girl
" in my 183th radiobroadcast (Jazz with babou). I will broadcast
2 next music titles in my next radio show Congratulations for you
2 albums." "I've played several cuts off both "Recycled Souls"
and "Blues Farm" on the air, and I have to say; I love
'em. I'd also like to extend an invitation to you if you're ever
in the area again to stop by the station and do an on-air interview
spot. Again...love the music." "Hello Erick ! I just receive this morning the two CD's you
send me. At the moment I'm listening "recycled souls".
I love the spirit of your music. I will begin to play one of your
songs next Monday, I don't choose yet which one, but you'll receive
my play list. Bravo Erick! Best regards " "Hi. I've played "I Wanna Know Who You Are" a few
times on my show. It's got a cool Howlin' Wolf-style to it. You
really did a great job with the cd. Very diversified. Best of luck.
Thanx for the music. " "Hello Erick, THANK YOU SO MUCH for send two cds recording
, it's VERY VERY GOOD MUSIC BLUES , for radio show thursday night
see you soon , amities " "Hi Erick, Greetings from Skopje, Macedonia. Enclosed is one
of my recent radio playlists which include your excellent material.
Looking forward to presenting more from you in the future! "
"Hello Erick ! Thanks for the Cd's ! Your music is great,
really !!! I hope to see you soon in France for a european tour
(and a radio interview ;-)) Welcome in my playlist. All the best.
Peace " "Blues Farm, Erick Hovey's 09 release, is listed among the
top 100 new releases." "Finding Erick Hovey's two 09 releases "Blues Farm"
and "Recycled Souls", was like finding that "rare
blues pearl" in a sea of sound alike blues songs...this is
the injection the blues needs." " "A heady mix of meaty, soulful grooves. Just goes to show
you that Iowa boys play their music card decks close to the vest
until delivery - no boasting, no grandstanding, just deliver the
musical goods when needed. And boy, this delivers!" "Erick Hovey has managed to build his own blues style….you
will discover some new elements on the Blues Farm cd that will surprise
you" "You really can't put Erick into a box. It isn't that over
the top, wish I was Stevie Ray Vaughn style of guitar, but the playing
of a guy who knows what he is doing and making great music."
"Erick Hovey is a complete and exciting musician who at any
time, knows what works and what to do….I warmly recommend that
you do not miss the musical piece of work called Recycled Souls.
"Blues Farm" and "Recylcled Souls" are two
very good and pleasant albums, bluesy in the feel with echoes of
J.J. Cale as well the best Americana style here and there and a
bunch of very fine songs. "Hovey's Midwestern sound, has become a sure bet with disc
jockeys in places as far away as France, the Netherlands, South
America and Canada"
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It is hard to believe that a farmer coming from Middle West states, can have a so wide a knowledge of black music. He skillfully mixes and develops his own blues style, full of rock and roll, country, swing and pop influences. The final result is an interesting cd, well done, with some drops of sensuality but, over all, built up with sober skill and personality. If you have some money to spend, do hot hesitate and buy it. La Hora Del Blues
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“As he says in the song, there is “Nothin’
Like A Good Guitar.”and Midwesterner (Fort Dodge, IA) bluesman
Erick Hovey takes those immortal words to heart. Judging from the
cover photo (it’s him as a geeky teenager doing his best blues
snarl with his sister beating an indian drum), he’s been at
it for some time, and this homegrown disc grows on you like the
corn in his home state.” Catfish Choice, Spring ‘97“Hovey’s unstrained delivery and easy grace make the material seem utterly uncontrived. My guess is that you’ll like this sweet natured little collection of originals.” Blue Suede News “Somewhere down on a farm in a remote corner of the US Midwest, this artist perfected his skills to become not only a skillful performer but an accomplished songwriter. This collection of fourteen songs is just a cross-section of his material, which ranges from upbeat rock to introspective blues.”
Music and Media “Serving up solid original blues from Fort Dodge, Iowa native Erick Hovey, What You Blue About? Has genuine heart and engaging personality. This CD is a treat, equal to or a cut above much of the material coming from established blues labels. Erick Hovey’s tunes are rooted in traditional blues and swing conventions. The songwriting is suprisingly skillful. His vocal style is swingin’ and rockin’ blues. Like Austin’s Gary Primich, Hovey pours on just enough hep-cat-daddy charm to make you listen up and snap your fingers. He also proves to be a sharp guitarist with a satisfying command of grooves and licks. There’s some smart swing stuff reminiscent of Teddy Morgan’s work, and some growly Delta-influenced guitar similar to that of Tinsley Ellis or Fast Johnny Ricker.”
The READER The band doesn’t overplay, so the music has a clean, light feel. The main attractions of Hovey’s CD are the swing blues cuts, which move along well, yet never so fast that the pulse is lost. His guitar work is fluid, and solos always concise. It’s an unpretentious record that avoids flash and pyrotechnics, and as a result, serves the blues quite well. Delta Snake Blues News “Erick Hovey and his group of very talented musicians have put down fourteen tracks that entertain no matter what type of blues you’re into. This is like a cold drink on a hot day. Erick puts down all the right licks in all the right places and that comes from two reasons. The man wrote the numbers and he sure knows his craft. The lyrics read like a trip from early puberty to young adulthood and sometimes beyond. It’s a disc that when played the second time sounds like a whole new ball game. Hot licks, cool chops, tight rhythm sections created by all who participated in this disc, make it a winner in any collection. If it is not in your store, ask for it. Iowa has some great hidden talent. Be the first on your block to discover Erick Hovey.”
Big Al Watts “In this sparkling CD you will find a very pure vein of blues to mine. Erick Hovey has built his CD on the sturdy foundation of simple, easy-to-identify-with subject matter and sharply performed arrangements. At times smooth and wistful, at times rockin’ in an older sense of the word, but always cloaked in cool, cool blues. Outstanding.” CAKE magazine, Minneapolis, MN “Erick Hovey has released a very fine CD that does some blues, some rock and some other kinda out there grooves; but it’s cool stuff. I found it more enjoyable than many other CDs I received from ‘big labels’…His guitar playing and singing, coupled with his own originals (and they’re all his and quite original), make a fun listen with more than a little wisdom thrown in for good measure.”
Blues Crier “Solid instrumentals, honest forthright lyrics, and enough stylistic variety to appeal to dyed-in-the-wool blues fans, three chord rockers, and even denizens of Bob’s Country Bunker” The Cedar Rapids Metro “What You Blue About? Features music that is straight-ahead and sometimes not, but is always accessible to the public ear…all of the songs are Hovey originals and they’re all good.”
“ muzi.com” magazine “Hovey and the band concentrate on upbeat, dance-worthy blues designed to move people off their chairs.” The DesMoines Register
“I’ve just received
an excellent 14 track CD from singer and guitarist Erick Hovey entitled
“What You Blue About?” on Juniors Motel Records. The
entirely self-written CD starts strong with the shuffling title
track and the swinging “Sleep Late” with it’s
nice clean guitar solo and short but tasteful piano and drum solos.
There’s something for everyone from out and out rockers(“Rockin’
The Blues”) to the heart- felt ballad “Love Affair”,
the funky “Shake That Thang”, and “Wicker Benz”
the jazzy Hammond based instrumental that closes the CD. Wah fans
will love “Tore Me Apart” which also features harmonica
from Tony Zagar. Tony also appears on my favorite low down and lazy
track “Take Me Home” with it’s JJ Cale vocal style.
Erick’s vocals complement his guitar very well and remind
me at times of Lyle Lovett (especially “Ain’t
Nothin Like A Good Guitar”). The band/session musicians are
very tight and let Erick do his thing whilst contributing some short
sharp solos themselves (step forward and take a bow Mr. Doug Hines
on keyboards). |
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Erick Hovey's cd Blues Farm is on Learshot top 10 for the week ending March 2, 2010
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| Erick Hovey CDs Reviewed Blues Farm and Recycled Souls By Richard Greaves / Blues In Britain Magazine Erick Hovey is from Fort Dodge, Iowa in the Midwest of the USA.
He combines being a farmer (5th generation) and a musician. He is
a singer and guitarist who started gigging when he was fourteen
and put out his first CD about fifteen years ago. He has released
these two CDs at the same time. I'm going to concentrate on Blues
Farm which is the more blues oriented of the two. All songs are
original and there is a core backing band of keyboards, bass, and
drums together with occasional horns. |
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| Erick Hovey is not your typical farmer,
nor is he your typical blues guitar player, yet if you met him on
the street you would think you are meeting Joe Average. However, the
5th generation gentleman farmer from Badger is one of Iowa's best
guitar slingers in the state. As typical with Erick, he doesn't do
things like the rest of us. Instead of releasing one CD, he puts out
two. Recycled Souls, and Blues Farm, are two great discs of blues,
jazz, and blues rock. Both these discs are similar. You really can't
put Erick into a box. In one track he sounds like Eric Clapton, then
the next song he is David Gilmore, or chunking along like a train
in a jump blues style. Hovey's guitar just soars through out this
disk. It isn't that over the top, wish I was Stevie Ray Vaughn style
of guitar, but the playing of a guy who knows what he is doing and
making great music. Furthermore, his writing style is incredibly eclectic. Erick kind of takes words from out of the ether, and sometimes an almost zen like quality of word play. Then at other times it is just down and dirty blues. Throughout the disk Erick is supported by Dan Lodden on bass, Jeff Forman on drums, and the breathy ethereal vocals of Heather Kelly of H &K. A few friends drop by to help Erick out, Andy Schinder plays bass on Sweet Fire Rain, from Recycled Souls, while harp maestro Andy Blumenthal blows on harp on Blues Farm. Then there is also some piano player I have never heard of named Tom Gary, that sort of plays piano and organ on a few tunes:-) This is a great CD to pick up. I can't recommend one over the other,
just buy BOTH!! CD Baby has both discs. |
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June 09 At number 40, Erick Hovey's 09 release "BLUES FARM" Note: REAL BLUES 'Top Releases' charts are based on what CD's,
DVD's, Books we have |
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Blues Farm is a soulful groove! ***** Can't say enough about Erick and his music, which I have followed
for many years now. Those of you who don't know this fifth-generation
Fort Dodge, IA farmer/musician will be dutifully impressed - Erick Hovey, Musician and Farmer - a Blue Collar Review Somewhere, deep in the small towns, cornfields, wind turbines,
and processing plants of northwest/north central Iowa, stinging
notes cry from an electric guitar as a man sings as honestly as
he can about loss, life, and the afterlife…….
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ERICK HOVEY, singer-songwriter from Iowa, has a good band and a
nice line in lead guitar. Recycled Souls is a powerful album of
original songs for those who like good old-fashioned rock without
the posing. 'Ain't Done With You' should be a world-wide smash.
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I received your CD's and took the time to listen to them. I put
all of the songs on Rocket 88. I wasn't sure what to expect but
for some reason I had it in my mind that this is some "bar
band" that played |
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Erick Hovey is a blues guitarist and singer from Fort Dodge in
Iowa. He learned to play the blues at the age of ten years, but
had already tried his hand on the old piano in the living room.
Erick listened to the radio, especially station KAAY out of Little
Rock, Arkansas, where he first encountered the blues-based music
of Clapton, Pink Floyd or Zeppelin. He remembered well those first
lessons and has followed the same path of blues. |
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Scene Scribe He is living life on his own terms. But freedom comes with a heavy price. The 50-year-old Hovey isn't getting rich working as a farmer and a musician, and lest some overseas airplay, he toils in relative obscurity from the media at home. Both vocations, you might say, have taught him a lot about the blues, which inform his rocking, roots sound that also encompasses pop, reggae and country. "There are a lot of ups and downs in farming and the blues," Hovey said. "Every day's a gamble." Hovey's Midwestern sound, however, has become a sure bet with disc jockeys in places as far away as France, the Netherlands, South America and Canada, where his two new independent albums that he released in June are enjoying airplay. "Blues Farm" includes 12 original blues-based songs like "Ball and Chain," "I'm Through" and "Goin' Down," and has landed on the charts of Real Blues magazine. Its counterpart, "Recycled Souls," includes 14 original blues-rock, reggae-tinged and pop songs like "When Will I See You Again," "Ain't Done With You" and "Ask the Stars" that revolve around a central theme of reincarnation. "It's funny, I haven't received much press, but the blues
DJs overseas are playing both albums. I guess they're looking for
stuff they haven't heard before. Here [in the United States] you're
lucky to hear from anyone in radio," Hovey said. |
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"J.J. Cale meets Tony Joe White" - Terry Iredale / Tecka's Tracks |
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My
name is Kenn Hinton and I am the blues programer at WTCC in